Subaru Impreza Reviews, Specs and Prices. Bumper- to- Bumper. Often called a basic warranty or new- vehicle warranty, a bumper- to- bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free- maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper- to- bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

Powertrain. Don't be misled a 1. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints.

Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations. Roadside Assistance. Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper- to- bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat- tire changes and locksmith services to jump- starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

Free Scheduled Maintenance. Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

Subaru Impreza 2. RS . I was an occasional college student at the time, somewhere between my freshman and sophomore years on the 1. I walked into the local Subaru dealer and waited to be approached. I can’t tell you how I did it, but I ended up taking a new Impreza for a test drive, solo. Thank goodness, as my early- 2. Subie around some gravel, with a handbrake pull to get the car to rotate.

The polyester- clad salesman would have stopped the fun entirely too early. If you bought a slushbox- equipped Impreza wagon sometime in 1. Columbus, I’m sorry. I’m reminded of this as I sit down for my daily car shopping, and this 2. Subaru Impreza 2.

RS appears before me. Though in general I don’t prefer white cars, this four- door RS looks so right in gleaming white. The basic alloys fitted to these later cars are perfect as well. I’ve read that the earliest 2. RS had serious head gasket issues, eventually to be corrected by the time this car came around. I can hear a bunch of you furiously typing WHY NO WRX/STi? For me, it can be reduced to style.

I simply love the lithe looks of the early cars, where the later cars look bulky and bulbous. A couple years after drifting the wagon, I was actually in the market to buy a new- to- me car, rather than simply hooning with impunity, and I found a used RS at a massive used car lot just outside of town. They even had it in my preferred black with the gold alloys. Jack’s mentioned this particular dealer . They couldn’t find the keys.

We waited for a couple hours for a chance to drive this Impreza RS, but were spurned. I ended up buying a Ford Focus a few weeks later. Someday . Commiserate with him on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.